International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021|ISSN 2454-6186

Decision Making and Strategic Management: an Appraisal of The #Endsars in

Odili, Chukwuemeka Pope1, Egobueze, Anthony2 1Department of Management, Faculty of Management Sciences University, Nkpolu- Oroworukwo, , Nigeria. 2Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Rivers State University, Nkpolu –Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract: The study examined strategic management and decision task. By doing so, a series of decisions are involved (Nura and making in Nigeria with an appraisal of #ENDSARS protest in Osman, 2012, p.296).” perspective. Theoretically, the study evaluated the impact of strategic management on the decisions taken by both the State Decision making on the other hand is the series options, out of and the Protesters on the conflict. Adopting secondary data and which, one or few is chosen, used and implemented for a content analysis as methods of data collection and analysis and particular course of action. According to Schoemaker and human resource-based theory as a theoretical framework, the Russo (2013, p. 1), decision-making is the process whereby study observed that good strategic management was not an individual, group, or organization reaches conclusions employed by both partings in managing the conflict and about what future actions to pursue given a set of recommended that decision makers should be transformational objectives and limit some available resources. A good and strategic in making decisions. It also recommended that the state should create jobs for the army of unemployed youths, and manager makes decisions that impact positively on the improve the condition of service and welfare of the Nigeria organization. The groundwork for any decision is indeed a Police, amongst others. clear statement of objectives; leadership traits; ability to illuminate the meaning for the objectives and capability to Key words: Strategic Management, Decision Making, Nigeria measure the cost and benefit of different alternatives as well Police Force, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Protesters, Government. as the effectiveness of the decisions (Nura and Osman, 2012, p.296). I. INTRODUCTION Decision making becomes efficient and effective if it is rooted ccording to Maleka (2014, p.4), strategic management in strategic management. A good manager makes decisions A has become an attractive management tool to within the strategic context. Çelik, Güngör, Özkul and Tuna reformers, and instills accountability with regards to the (2016) observe that leaders(managers) who have leadership organizational management. With the present trend of global styles make strategic decisions aimed at innovation and activities and operations, strategic management is the drive change basic business strategies, intervene in conflict and that ensures that organizations use the right arsenal that would risk taking. Elkhdr (2019) explained that many case studies enable them become efficient in their day-to-day operations. show that strategic decisions mainly affect the long-run Strategic managers view the fact that market dynamics have business performance that is directly linked with its created challenges for public organizations. With the objectives. Normally, they are decided by the top emergence of the global economy, advances in technology, management, and generally, they involve high risk, but still, increased societal demands, and the need to provide more effective strategic decision-making is quite fruitful. It is social services with fewer resources, strategic management specifically true for the current business era when leaders and brings to bear a widespread desire for increased organizational managers have to make their businesses survive and grow in scrutiny that has increased the pressure for change. the changing environments. They do this by continuously accepting and adapting the changing business scenarios. They The success of an organization largely depends on decisions have to maintain pace with the changing business world for made by managers. Strategic management identifies and gaining a significant competitive advantage. Managers in describes methods required to be carried out by managers so charge of strategic decision-making are capable of providing as to achieve better performance and a competitive advantage only satisfactory solutions to problems (Vasilescu, 2011, for the organization. It is a bundle of decisions and acts which p.104). According to Alhawamdeh and Alsmairat (2019, a manager undertakes and which decides the result of the p.95), a successful strategic decision making enables an firm‟s performance (Pishkari, 2017, p.108). “Every manager, organization to maintain competitive position, align internal regardless of the nature of the organization he/she belongs to, operations with external environment and survive threats and needs to design a comprehensive plan of action, articulate it challenges, while conversely, because of their magnitude, a and direct it towards organizational activity to accomplish a single, poorly made strategic decision can lead to the demise

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International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021|ISSN 2454-6186

of an organization and result in corporate embarrassment, the President (Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces). The large economic losses for stakeholders or even bankruptcy. A President is also the number one leader in Nigeria, hence, typical example of this is the #ENDSARS protest in Nigeria. every citizens of Nigeria are his subordinates and whatever decisions he makes concerning the affairs of the country has a Policing is one of the most complex job all over the world great impact on every citizen in the country. As the (Ogbette, Idam and Kareem, 2018), this is because their sole Commander – in – Chief of the Armed Forces, he gives the responsibility is to protect lives and properties. But there are last command on the subject relating to the use of the military some that have had negative impact of the brutal to fight an aggressor(s). actions of the police. According to Aborisade and Obileye (2018), involves torture, interrogative It should be noted that both the Police and the Protesters are technique and other wanton abuses of human rights. all human beings, and decisions from any part thereof, may impact the others, therefore, because all are stakeholders in The Nigerian citizens are rough handled, mishandled and the Nigeria Project. The human resource-based theory brutalized in various ways through; beating, indiscriminate recognizes the importance of the various stake-holders and the shooting, maiming and killing, and the use unnecessary relations between them. According to Koch and Kok (1999) restrains such as handcuffs and leg chains, unnecessary these stakeholders form the dominant coalition. The values use of firearms against suspects and innocent members of and attitudes of the members of this coalition are some of the public, torture of suspects in order to forcefully excerpt the factors that influence the management of the human confession and extortion of gratification (Abiodun, Oloyede, resources. Ademola, Abah and Kehinde, 2020, p.50). III. CONCEPTUAL REVIEW There has been a series of efforts to reform SARS over the years; however none has worked so far. The Department has Strategic management been disbanded several times by the government, yet they Strategic Management is a process which includes have always found their way back into existence, unleashing environmental analysis of the organization by the top more havoc on the Nigerian society. The Amnesty managers for the purpose of strategy formulation and the plan International continues to document unlawful killings and of strategy implementation and controlling (Athapaththu, extra-judicial executions in the context of the Armed Force, 2016). Strategic management is a collection of the ongoing including the SARs. There are doubts on the integrity of the activities of strategic analysis, strategy creation, government towards how they have been handling SARS. implementation and monitoring. It systematically organizes Decisions made so far by the government on SARS have still the resources in aligning with the vision, mission and strategy not yelled any positive results. There are also doubts about the throughout the organization. It prepares the organization for decisions by Nigerians to protest as it seen as an avenue for the future by knowing the exact steps to implement strategic hoodlums to hijack and create mayhem in the society. It is plans. It is a process and a path guiding actions all over the based on this lacuna that our intellectual curiosity was spurred organization (Athapaththu, 2016, p.126). According to to examine if the strategic reasoning was applied in decision Sammut-Bonnici (2015, p.1), strategic management is the making towards the #ENDSAS protest in Nigeria. process of evaluation, planning, and implementation designed II. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK to maintain or improve competitive advantage. The process of evaluation is concerned with the external and internal This study adopted the human resource-based theory as its environments. Planning involves developing business models, theoretical framework. In every organization, humans are one corporate direction, competitive tactics, international strategy, of the major factors because they run the day-to-day acquisitions, and collaborative action. The implementation operations. They are also the most difficult to manage and phase requires leadership to build the appropriate utilize. Humans are also influenced by series of factors, organizational structure, develop management culture, control especially factors that affect their well-being and survival. the strategic processes, and steer the organization through Omalaja and Eruola (2011), note that human resource-based corporate governance. theory emphasizes the importance of the human element in the process of strategy development of organizations. Demir (2018, p.16) identified seven dimensions of strategic management. Nigeria as a country is managed by some humans known as leaders working in the toga of government, who rule, control (1) Leadership and influences the citizens. Any law and order made by these (2) Planning and Executing leaders will have a great impact on their subordinates. If the (3) Processes and Tools legislations are not strategically made, it would have a rub-off (4) Structure and Model effect on the citizens, and the impact may be conflicts such as (5) People and Culture riots, strike, lock-downs, blockage, etc. (6) Performance Management (7) Innovation This theory suits this study because the entire military and para-military institutions in Nigeria are under the control of

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International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021|ISSN 2454-6186

The dimensions above are very essential elements in policy  Procedural justice: This measures the fairness of the formulation and implementations as well as decision making processes by which decisions are made and the in both the public and private entities as well as in social fairness of the treatment of individuals involved in institutions. the process. Decision making  Cognitive conflict: This measures the extent to which team members perceive the existence of task-based Nura and Osman (2012) see decision making as an act of differences and disagreements. identifying and ably selecting among an array of alternatives  Affective conflict: This measures the extent to which based on the inclination. A manager is only called a manager team members perceive the existence of person- if he/she is capable of making effective decisions. It is all based differences. about conscious choice of an alternative course of action (Nura and Osman, 2012, p.297). Decision making is the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) process of selecting a particular course of action from other Abiodun et al (2020) described the Nigerian Police Force various alternatives that should be executed. Ki, Park and Kim (NPF) as a Federal Institution. The Nigeria Police personnel (2017) stated that decision-making often determines the perform personal protection and guard duties. The NPF was overall direction of an organization and significantly affects established under Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution. The the quality and effectiveness of organizational performance. Police Act (1990) describes the function, structure and Decision-making itself demonstrates complicated operation of the Force. The Act was originally drafted in organizational issues, thus, demanding a great deal of 1943, and was reviewed in 1967 (Police Act Cap, 2004). organizational resources. Russo (2013, p.1) define decision- The President and Commander-In-Chief of Armed Forces making as the process whereby an individual, group or in Nigeria holds operational control of the Force and organization reaches conclusions about what future actions to appoints the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), who is pursue given a set of objectives and limits on available responsible for the command of the Police subject to his resources. directive for public safety and maintenance of public order. Decision making depicts a process of adequately reducing In the same vein, the administrative, financial and logistics uncertainty and doubt about alternatives to allow a reasonable management of the Nigeria Police falls under the authority of choice to be made from within and among them (Nura and the Federal Ministry of Police Affairs. Osman, 2012, p.297). According to Ki et al (2017, p.7) The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is a dreaded anti- decision-making measure can be used to gather benchmark crime unit of the (NPF) founded in 1992 data regarding the current levels of an organization‟s by Simeon Danladi Midenda, a retired Commissioner of strategic-decision quality as well as to conduct periodic Police who added the word „‟Special‟‟ to the already existing checks to measure improvement in the quality of such Anti-Robbery Squad which turned out to be Special Anti- decision-making quality. It can serve as a diagnostic Robbery Squad (SARS) (Ogbette et al, 2018, p.181). barometer which will allow the top managers or executive According to Spokesman of the Police Force, Jimoh personnel in an organization to assess areas that are weak and Moshood, SARS is one of the 14 units under the Nigeria in need of attention in order to make strategic decision- Police Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department making more effective. Again, Ki et al (2017) identified eight which was created to arrest, investigate and prosecute people measures of decision making as follows: involved in violent crimes such as armed robberies, murders,  Decision quality: Decision quality is related with the kidnappings, hired assassinations and other forms of extreme overall quality of the decision relative to its intent. criminality. Anti-Robbery as a modus operandi of the Nigeria Police Force for combating armed robbery has been as old as  Decision routines: This measures an executable the Police Force itself. As a unit also, anti-robbery had always capability for repeated performance in any context existed in all Criminal Investigation Departments at Force that has been learned by an organization in response Headquarters, Zonal and State Command levels (Ogbette et to selective pressures. al, 2018, p.181). In the past years till date, torture has  Procedural rationality: This measures the extent to remained widespread across Police units, but especially in which the decision process involves the collection of those of SARS (, 2016). information relevant to the decision and reliance upon analysis of this information in making the IV. CAUSAL-FACTORS FOR POLICE BRUTALITY IN choice. NIGERIA  Understanding: Understanding is often measured as According to the Amnesty International (2002) one of the shared understanding about ends and means. challenges of the civilian government which came to power in  Decision commitment: Represents more than simple Nigeria in 1999, was to ensure the respect for and protection agreement. It requires the active cooperation of the of human rights which was in breach during the preceding team and understanding and commitment to the military era. This challenge has coincided with a wave of decision.

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crime and violence that has spread throughout the Nation till Force, there are inadequate working tools. In some Nigeria date. Brutality is one of several forms of misconduct which Police stations, there is no database for fingerprints, involves undue violence by security officers, especially, the systematic forensic investigation, or sufficient budget for Police on citizens in a society. This misdemeanor exists in investigations. The forensic capacity is absolutely poor; many states and territories in the global system, most there are only two forensic laboratory facilities in Nigeria especially, in the developing societies. Police brutality refers and limited numbers of forensic police staff. Due to lack to the intentional use of excessive force directed towards a of funding and resources for security matters, the Nigeria state‟s citizens by the Police officers or security agents Police is currently struggling to fulfill its statutory (Abiodun et al, 2020, p.52). responsibilities. It is also established that inefficiency and corruption in the Nigeria Police are usually connected to poor Empirical studies have shown that torture and other forms of wages/salaries and difficult working conditions of operatives. violent abuse could have enduring negative effects on both Officers do not have enough basic security equipment; survivors and perpetrators, and is ineffective for obtaining bullet-proof vests, sophisticated arms and handcuffs. These reliable information in interrogation. In spite of state are some of the reasons they are unable to apprehend prohibitions against torture and custodial misconduct by the armed robbers and insurgents in the country (Abiodun et al, Police, torture has been reported as being commonly used in 2020, p.59). police custodies across Nigeria, which is a major reason behind deaths in custody (Aborisade and Obileye, 2018, p.2). Uncontrolled Anger/Emotions on the Part of SARS Operatives The following factors enhance Police brutality in Nigeria: Police work requires psychological balance of feeling and emotional, because the job involves “emotional labour”. This Unprofessionalism of the Nigerian Police Officers is necessary in crime investigation and the interrogation of There are some officers in the Nigeria Police/SARS that are suspects. It is observed that most Police officers do not not professional in the discharge of their duties, 70 percent of control both their feelings and emotions during crime them are undertrained, incompetent and unqualified. The investigations and they tend to unleash terror on the suspects. country is therefore saddled with a very large number of This is a recurring decimal in Police investigation in Nigeria. unqualified, under-trained and ill-equipped officers and men, In the process, this lack of professionalism leads to death or many of whom wear the respected uniform of the Force is in permanent maiming of suspects. Even apart from the bravery bad shape. The police are today stuck with undesirable and physical strength, police profession requires workforce. The Police training facilities are overstretched and communication and human relations skills that are often under-resourced (Abiodun et al, 2020, p.57). undervalued by police managers and officers (Abiodun et al, 2020, p.59). Influence of Politics Corruption and Bribery In Nigeria, policing is, in all ramifications, interwoven with politics. There are some officers that are politically deployed There is absolute corruption in the Nigerian Police Force. to achieve the selfish goals of the politicians; to rig election, They not only collect bribes, but extorts extort monies from arrest and clamp their oppositions in jail among others various people, including commercial bus, taxi, motorcycle (Abiodun et al, 2020, p.58). Most of the officers are deployed drivers. The SARS operatives frequently storm at different to guide the Politicians, rather than the generality of the spots/locations such as cinemas, night/party clubs, and cyber people. cafes in cities to unlawfully effect arrests in order to raise some monies whenever they are in “dire need of money for Deficient Guidance on the Nigeria Police Act their weekends.” Several cases of bribery and corruption are Unfortunately, the Police Act does not provide any guidance usually reported in Nigeria, and this is common in some on the exercise of these duties and the scope of the powers of instances while criminals and armed robbers go out for their the Police remains largely ambiguous. This glaring gap in the operations both in the day and nocturnal period. Anytime law has led to a situation where armed officers are not aware these “men of the underworld” are on rampage for their of the scope of the lawful exercise of power and consequently operations, the SARS operatives only collect bribes from them violate constitutional provisions and fundamental human and let them go. In Nigeria, it is alleged that arms and rights of the citizens; they are expected to protect pursuant to weapons are being proliferated with the support of some of their law enforcement duties (Abiodun et al, 2020, p.58). the corrupt SARS operatives (Abiodun et al, 2020, p.59). Lack of Adequate Resources and Poor Working Conditions Use of illicit drugs/drinking of much alcohol by Officers while on Duty It is observed that the Nigeria Police have limited capacity for scientific and intelligence investigations. It is no more news that most Police Officers saddled Police barracks are in bad shapes and ill – equipped and lack with the responsibility to maintain laws and orders and the resources to investigate numerous complex crimes that protecting lives and properties are often alleged to be daily require specialized skills. Apart from the bad eggs in the engaged in the act of smoking of “Indian hem”, heroine and

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International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume V, Issue VII, July 2021|ISSN 2454-6186

cannabis and as well drinking of alcohol in both hidden and Nigeria Police. Over the years, the reward system in the force public places. They later retire to places where alcoholic is nothing to write home about. For instance, before the 100 drinks, beers and Indian hems are sold to “enjoy” themselves. percent salary increase by late President Umaru Yar‟Adua‟s After taking all these, they become very “high” as this makes administration, the average take home pay of a Police them to misbehave the more in public places (Abiodun et al, Constable was N10,000.00, which was composed of 2020, p.59). N5,000.00 as salary, lodging, N2,000.00 and others, N3,000.00. Within the same period, a Corporal earned about Culpability on the part of the Nigerian Government N13,000.00 and after the increase earned between, Culpability on the part of the Nigerian government could be N27,000.00 and N28,000.00. Similarly, a Sergeant earned seen from the government‟s attitude to many unresolved cases N15,000.00 and with the increase, such a staff goes home with of unlawful and extra judicial killings, violence, poor Police about N31,000.00. Following the salary increase, inspectors condition of service, and general lawlessness in the country. salary rose to N55,000.00. At the officer level, Assistant But it is unfortunate that the government has refused to Superintendent of Police earned between, N80,000.00 to N85, demonstrate genuine commitment to ending impunity of 000.00 with the increase in salary. Other affected officers Police brutality in the country as failure to ensure their were Superintendents of Police and their Deputies, whose accountability and ensure redress for their wrong doings salaries rose to between, N90,000.00 and N100,000.00 denies the victims of justice (Abiodun et al, 2020, p.60). respectively. Poor remuneration in the Police Force has for long continued to attract public outcry in view of the fact that Poor implementation of the Budget/Appropriation Law it had led to low morale among their members in addition to Financial appropriation or funding for the Nigeria Police is contributing to their indulging in some unethical conduct or almost seven percent of the annual national budget estimate behaviour. This was one of the requests outlined by the but the lion‟s share of this is spent on wages and salaries of #ENDSARS Protester. “Apart from poor remuneration, issues staff. In recent years, paltry 6% of the budget are allocated for such as stagnation of some officers in a particular position; capital expenditure, such as equipment and training facilities, favouritism and tribalism, parochialism and poor while almost 70% of the overhead and capital expenditures accommodation have all affected the performance of members are spent at the Force headquarters. This resulted in making of the Force (Alozie, 2019, p.8).” State Commands to rely on State and Local government V. GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO POLICE authorities to finance their operations; the sub national BRUTALITY IN NIGERIA governments often donate vehicles, fuel, allowances and communication gadgets to the security personnel within their The 4th Republic of Nigeria commenced on 29th May, 2009 domain. with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as President. There was a lot of optimism on how to restore and reinvent the dreams of the Inadequate equipment, working materials and use of founding fathers that struggled for the State‟s independence. outmoded equipment Key to Nigeria was guaranteeing security, which is critical for Police officers in most stations have always complained of their safety, and the Nigerian Police is pivotal in this regards. lack of basic working materials such as statement forms, bail Naankiel, Christopher and Olofu (2011) observe that “in view bonds, case jackets, police diaries and stationery. The Nigeria of the several police brutality, gross misconduct and the Police has also failed to keep pace with time in terms of factors aiding these menace, several administrations had in the sophistication of crime in modern times. There have been past set up committees to reform or re-organize the Police proven cases of criminals possessing more sophisticated Force.” Consequently, from the Obasanjo (civilian) weapons than the Nigeria police. Hence, the cases of administration to Buhari‟s current administration (1999 to insufficient supply of arms and ammunition, bullet proof 2020), there has been several reform targeted at repositioning vests, vehicles and other security gadgets by the State has the Police to become more effective. become a recurring decimal. Often times, Policemen die at the Presidential Committee on Police Reform, which was hands of criminal elements and bandits due to their over constituted in 2006 by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo reliance on out dated and obsolate equipments. The lack of produced a report. The Report of the Committee was modern crime monitoring, intelligence and surveillance approved by the government, but never made public and gadgets for the tracking down of criminals and their hideouts likely not implemented. has, therefore, continued to affect the Police effective performance (Alozie, 2019, p.9). Another Committee was set up by late President Umoru Yar‟adua in 2008. Recommendation from the Committee was Poor Remuneration and Condition of Service made public; part of which was the sum of N2.8 trillion will The police service is among the least remunerated sectors in be spent over 5 years to equip and train Police officers, Nigeria, despite the risky nature of the service. Poor condition increase their salaries and revamp the various arms of the of service has remained a major drive for some unprofessional Police Force. The recommendation of the Committee was conduct often witnessed among the rank and file of the

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swept under carpet owing to the various intrigues surrounding reorganization. Yet the SARS officers continued to act with the health and eventual death of President Yar‟adua. impunity, committing armed robberies, rapes, other acts of torture and extrajudicial killings which resulted to online A similar effort was made by the successor of late President outrage on the activities of SARS officers. Umaru Musa Yar‟adua, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Like his predecessor, Jonathan‟s Committee was headed by a In October 2020, an online outrage led to the ban of Federal retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Parry Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) by the IGP. The ban of Osayande. The Committee delivered its report to the FSARS comes against the backdrop of the findings by the Presidency in August 2012. According to the Premium Times leadership of the Force that a few personnel of the Tactical newspaper (2014) former President Goodluck Jonathan said Squads hide under this guise to perpetrate all forms of that the Federal Government would spend N1.5 trillion in the illegality, contrary to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) next five years to reform the Police Force. However, the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement establishing the administration failed to honour its promise and only about squads. However, despite the announcement by the IGP, effectively. young Nigerians still went into the streets to unleash their fury and anger against SARS operatives. The reactions from the Many felt President Buhari would handle national outfits like protesters was because government has failed to satisfy the Police Force with an iron will. Several stakeholders and completely stop the SARS. Besides ENDSARS demand, the civil pressure groups have called on the Buhari‟s demonstrators increased their demands to include widespread administration to implement the Dikko Committee reforms of human rights abuses committed by security forces recommendations from 2008 to no avail. The call to scrap of all stripes and pervasive government corruption and they SARS and reform the Police had not been taken seriously by also called for institutional reforms. In response to the the Nigerian government (Abiodun et al, 2020). In 2016, the #EndSARS movement, the government announced it had Inspector General of Police (IGP) I. K. Idris announced broad already disbanded the SARS unit. The government further reforms to correct SARS Units‟ use of excessive force and announced the creation of SWAT (Special Weapons and failure to follow due process. In December 2017, when the Tactics) to replace the SARS unit (Guardian Newspaper, agitation to disband SARS gained more momentum, the then 2020). IGP again announced measures to reorganize the outfit. Again in September 2018, Idris ordered SARS to stop The Federal government directed each of the country's 36 the random searching of people's phones immediately states to set up an inquiry on the incidence; consequently, on (Premium Times, 2018). He promised a comprehensive Tuesday's 27th October 2020, State kick-started the reform both in terms of ethics, mode of operation, process by setting up a 11-member panel, which included two nomenclature, orientation, function delineation, command and representatives of the protesters. The panel was given six control, as well as weaponry and accountability mechanism of months to submit its report. Among the terms of reference the outfit. were: In August 14, 2018, the Vice-President (VP) of Nigeria, Yemi . Listen and take evidence from all victims or the Osibanjo made a pronouncement on SARS reform. The families of victims of SARS abuse; announcement held that SARS had been changed to Federal- . determine if compensation should be payable; SARS, even though the department had always been . determine if officers should be recommended for addressed as F-SARS in official Police statement and prosecution; and documents (Premium Times, 2018). Yet, the impact of the . make recommendations on how to make sure there recommendations within the Police Force has not produced is no more abuse. the desired results. The President ‟s The Police reform policy done so far by both past and present administration has also made efforts to improve Police administration is in the right direction, but Nigerians are not welfare and technical expertise. On April 2019, the President satisfied because they have not seen, neither are they assented the Police Trust Fund Act, which focuses on training experiencing positive result from the reform policies. Many of Police Officers, procurement of operational equipment, Nigerians are still assaulted, robbed, brutalized, killed, and maintenance of Police stations as well as improvement in the falsely accused and detained by some elements in the welfare and well being of the Police Force. Also, on Nigeria‟s Police, leading to the protest. September 17, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the Nigeria Police Act, 2020. The new law provides VI. THE #ENDSARS PROTEST IN NIGERIA – A for a more effective and well-organized Police Force driven CRITIQUE by the principles of transparency and accountability in its operations and management of its resources, amongst others Police brutality triggered a mass protest in Nigeria. According (WANEP, 2020). In February 2020, the Inspector General of to Ujene and Orji-Egwu (2018, p.4), Nigeria and Nigerians on January 1, 2017, woke up to witness an uproar of the masses Police (IGP), Mr. ordered the against the perceived brutality of the anti-robbery unit of the disbandment of the satellite offices of SARS. He pointed out Nigeria police force. In the same year 2017, Nigerians that dissolving SARS offices were part of an ongoing

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launched a campaign with the hash tag WANEP (2020, p.1) contended that “since the #EndSARS to document abuse and extortion by SARS commencement of a national protest against SARS brutalities officers and demand the total overhaul and abolition of the and extra-judicial killings in Nigeria, the country has continue Unit. The nationwide demonstrations against Police officers to record series of across States. The protest has of SARS continue to gain momentum across States (WANEP, resulted in violence that has caused the death of 92 people, 87 2020). The campaigners moved from social media using the injuries and destruction of properties and livelihoods.” #EndSARS to organized, peaceful protests in , Suspected hoodlums and cult gangs have exploited the Lagos, , Osun, Benin, Ughelli, , , protests to increase their criminal activities as recorded in , , , , and other Osun, Kwara, Edo, Ondo, Lagos, Abuja-FCT, Gombe, Kano, Nigerian cities and states, threatening to continue if the Delta, Oyo, Abia, Ogun, Ekiti and Plateau States. Also, government refused to disband the force (WANEP, 2020). incidents of shoot-outs between security operatives and suspected hoodlums who have exploited the insecurity created According Vanguard Newspaper (2020) the protestors made a by the protest to carry out illegal activities including jailbreak, five points demand to be met by the Federal Government of robbery, extortion and physical assaults of Nigeria. Topping the list was the immediate release of all the commuters/motorists, arson and rape were recorded. WANEP persons arrested during the protests as well as justice and (2020) held that cases of Police clamp down on protesters in compensation for all who died through police brutality in Lagos, Rivers and Abuja-FCT as well as violent attacks on Nigeria. Next to the above is an independent body to be set up Police officers and other security operatives by suspected within 10 days to investigate and prosecute all reports of hoodlums in Oyo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Edo States. There are police misconduct. Also, the psychological evaluation and also alleged claims by protesters of state sponsorship of thugs retraining of SARS operatives before they are deployed to any to cause chaos and disrupt peaceful demonstrations in Lagos, other police unit. Finally, the protesters requested an increase Edo and Abuja-FCT. Between October 17th and 20th, 2020. in the salaries of officers in the Nigerian police. Indeed, 78 people were reported dead (including 6 police It is important to note that the #ENDSARS protest was a officers) with over 73 others injured in Police shootings, means some Nigerians used to unleash their anger against not attack by hoodlums and road accidents in the affected States. only the brutality of the Nigerian Police, but poor governance Out of the 78 deaths, 4 deaths were accident-related during the which has led to excruciating poverty that caused hardship in ENDSARS protest. WANEP (2020) further explained that a the country. Apart from the police/SARS brutality, more total of 16 Police stations were vandalized and destroyed by reasons why Nigerian youths protested were: hoodlums in the guise of ENDSARS protesters of in Edo (6), Lagos(4), Oyo (1), Ekiti (1), Abia (2), Osun(1) and Abuja- High rate of inflation at 13.2%, which is the highest in 29 FCT(1). months (Business Day newspaper, 2020). The level of these increases will compound the poverty level among Nigerians. In addition, several public and private facilities including three commercial banks, Local Government Secretariat, The huge debts that are currently at more than 31 trillion Nigerian Ports Authority, Television (LTV), the Naira (Business Day newspaper, 2020) and will grow to 38.68 Palace of the Oba of Lagos State and over 100 Bus Rapid trillion Naira in 2021 (Business Day newspaper, 2020). Transit (BRT) in Lagos State; a warehouse belonging to the The number of jobless people in Nigeria increased to over 21 Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in ; and shopping million in the second quarter of 2020 (Business Day malls were damaged in Abuja, Lagos, and Osun States newspaper, 2020). This has increased poverty and exacerbated respectively. Ekiti and Edo States also recorded cases of gang- crime as noticed during the Protests. Insecurity is currently on rape of 6 female victims by hoodlums during the protest. the high rate like never before. Accident-related incidents during the protest were recorded at Delta, Ekiti and Lagos States, which caused 4 persons death According to Business Day newspaper (2020), total casualties with several others injured (WANEP, 2020). from insecurity in Nigeria took an alarming rate turn in June (2020) with at least 731 innocent citizens killed in violent Guardian Newspaper, 2020 notes that to ensure legitimacy for attacks. The problem of Boko Haram insurgency, violent the protest, more than 200,000 Nigerians signed the online communal clashes, kidnappings, and insensate criminality petition set up by Mr. Silas Ojo to the United Kingdom (UK) predated this administration, the insecurity situation has parliament to impose sanctions on all those behind the Lekki deepened and widened and worsened under the current shootings. These sanctions range from visa bans to assets government in the last five years. Hence, lots of Nigerians freezing as contained in an e-petition upon which the now live in fear. parliament‟s Monday debate was based. The said petition has already been discussed in the United Kingdom parliament on The Protesters still believed that banning SARS and 23rd November 2020 and they are now looking towards introducing SWAT was like an old wine in new bottle. The imposing direct sanctions on Nigeria government officials, protesters no longer trust the government because of the many who played a role in violating human rights during the end contradictions emanating from the government and the Police SARS protest. Similarly, the protesters further reported the authorities.

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Lekki shootings to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to dwindling income of the country. Nigeria‟s which is conducting a preliminary examination in the inflation rate currently stands at 13.71%. #ENDSARS protests in Nigeria including the alleged killing VIII. CONCLUSION of peaceful protesters by soldiers. Strategic management is a guide in decision making and its The actions of the Protesters clearly shows that they have lost effectiveness depends on leadership directions. Where hope in the government and the decisions so far made by the decision making is not guided by strategic management, it government on the Police brutality have not been favorable to yields negative results like the #ENDSARS protest in Nigeria. them, which is why the protesters are now involving external Lots of Nigerian citizens have been brutalized, maimed, organizations for help. killed, robbed, extorted, falsely accused and detained by the VII. THE IMPACT OF THE ENDSARS PROTEST TO Police, especially, the SARS Unit. This study showed that NIGERIA there have been several efforts by the Government to reform the Police in order to stop the menace, but these efforts The police brutality, government decision making and the yielded no positive results that led to the #EndSARS protest. protesters decision making, all have consequences on the The protest was further hyped by other activities that Nigerian society. Every government that values her image will Nigerians felt are not favorable to them, such as inflation, prevent protest because it gives a bad image in the insecurity, unemployment and so on. The Protesters were shot International environment. The consequences of the violence by the Nigeria army in Lekki, Lagos State; this led to the are as follows: hijacked of the protest by hoodlums that caused mayhem on 1. Unrest threatens investors to lose confidence in the the Nigerian State. The Nigeria government in REACTION country. Major supermarket franchises like Spar, banned SARS and set up SWAT. They further freeze the Shoprite and similar foreign-owned businesses were accounts of some of the end SARS promoters and stopped badly affected by the protests; this has negative some others from travelling. The Protesters are currently connotations for Nigeria‟s external image. seeking help from external organizations like the UK 2. There is also job loss; currently, Nigeria has an parliament and ICC. The study showed the absence of unemployment rate of 27.1% as of August 2020. strategic management in handling #ENDSARS protest in Small business owners who employ thousands of Nigeria. workers have had to let most of their employees go IX. RECOMMENDATIONS until a time they can bounce back. More so, the informal sectors in Nigeria is the greatest employer The study recommends the following: of labour, and their businesses suffered a great deal. 1. Nigeria needs a charismatic leader with 3. Similarly, there is a lack of trust of the political transformational leadership style that would adopt office holders by the citizenry. The #EndSARS strategic management in decision making. A protest is a clear evidence that there is a wide gap transformational leader combines strategic leadership between the government and young Nigerians who style like democratic, transactional and even still feel disgruntled over the way and manner the autocratic when necessary in managing the state and government has handled the call to end Police the people. Such a leader was needed to stem down brutality before the protest. hostilities during the #ENDSARS protest. 4. The protest caused financial strain on states, 2. The state should create jobs for the army of the especially, the State‟s infrastructure. According to unemployed or underemployed youths, women and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an even men. Social security schemes should be estimated N700bn was lost in economic value by provided for the unemployed. Nigeria, but some other economic experts put the 3. Shooting the Protesters was not a strategic decision loss beyond a trillion Naira (Guardian newspaper, by the Government, the army does not have a 2020). business in quelling domestic violence, that is the 5. Businesses with no insurance cover may never role of the Police; consequently, the President should return. Though some businesses will rely on their be on top of his game by acting within the insurance companies to bounce back, not all small framework of his office. businesses are insured. 4. Government should should support the youths to 6. Banks that loaned money to affected businesses become entrepreneurs. Towards achieving this, the would also take some hits as most loans may have to Executive is urged to liaise with the National be written off, where businesses affected by the crisis Assembly to enact an Act that would provide for the do not bounce back. establishment of the Youth Enterprenourship Fund, 7. Inflation rate may likely skyrocket as the nation which would support willing and active youths with strives to steer away from a looming recession owing funds to start – up businesses on inject in existing businesses.

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